Cobedding

Okay so this is a topic with many different views. Here no one is right...I guess it's all a matter of opinion, so of course I'm going to give you mine!

Our family does co-bed...but only for so long. There are pros and cons to our choice. I will give you the reasons why I chose this method. First and fore most I took a early childhood development class in college. One of the things we touched on was of course SIDS. Our country does not condone "Co-bedding" because of the risk of SIDS. However let me prove a point here. Our country is the second HIGHEST in SIDS cases. We are one of the few countries that not only do not sleep with our children but also put them in another room. Japan is second LOWEST in SIDS rates, and it is common tradition that the mother sleeps with their child. Is all of this a coincidence? Possibly...however I like to believe that the correlation is more than just coincidence, but rather proof.

Something else to consider: We are mammals. This shouldn't come to a surprise to anyone, however if it is I encourage you to go back to the fourth grade. Now list to yourself all the other mammals you can think of. Got it? How many of those mammals do not sleep with their offspring? EXACTLY!!

Okay so I know the next thing that is going to come out of your mouth...or through your head. How many people roll over and suffocate the baby that is in their bed? This is not a common occurrence, but yes it does happen. More than likely it is at the fault of the parent due to taking over the counter drugs or drinking, or even recreational drugs. For my family I can honestly say you do not sleep quite as sound when there is a child among you. Your instincts kick in and provided you have nothing impairing your abilities, your body knows not to roll over, etc. At your regular daytime (or evening) jobs you are told not to drink, do recreational drugs or even some over the counter drugs while on the job. Parenting is also a job--I know surprise right? So I encourage you to treat your home life with the same respect you treat your work life! If you do any of these at work you could harm yourself, others, and lose your job, If you can do these at home you can lose your child. I think your home life should warrant even more respect than work! You can find another job, but you can't replace a child. But that's my opinion!

Now let me add to this. I do not think that it is healthy to sleep with your child until they're 10. Even now, my children are in their own big kid bed and in their own room by 1.5. Why? I honestly feel that once they hit a year old their "reasoning" kicks in. They might not understand it completely but they are more equip to listen and semi understand what is going on. Does this mean it will be a cry free transition. Not at all-but I do have to say it is important to do, not only for the child's sake but if your married, for your marriages sake. I'm a strong believer in things that help keep your marriage alive. One of these I believe is...wait for it....SEX.

Now that you are a parent the morning, nooners and well lets just say when the moment strike no longer mean you can just jump on each other. So bed time is an important part of your marriage. This is why my children have a bed time, so we have time for just the two of us. This time is very special and I look forward to it each day. NOT because I am wishing my children would go to bed, but because my husbands embrace seems to melt away all of the things that went wrong that day, his kiss brings me back to reality, and his touch renews my love for him ten fold each day.

I often get "your children are so cuddly". This I credit co-bedding. My children know nothing different than to cuddle their way to dream land from the minute they were born. Kaelin-now 3-has been sleeping in her own bed and own room for two year. At first she would come in halfway through the night and crawl in bed with us...I never discouraged it. If she was extra squirmy that night, when she fell back asleep I would have my husband take her back to her room. Now she sleeps all night in her own room, with not a single peep, when she wakes up first thing in the morning she comes running into our room and crawls in. We cuddle for probably at least 10 min before actually getting up! I love this time of the day! We have a bedtime routine where we cuddle and read books before she goes to her room, so she still even gets her cuddle time at 3.

Like I said this is all matter of opinion, and my opinion may not be "right" but it's "right" for us. If I just got you to think about the "idea" of co-bedding, then I have done my job. Parenting is about thinking of every possibility and CHOOSING which way works for you. No one person is right, no one person is "wrong"....well for the most part, there are people out there that should not reproduce, but we'll leave that alone right now . Just remember if it feels good for you, then no matter what people say...fight your battle, because your battle has a meaning, maybe not to them...but to you! You and your family!! That's it for now!!

FYI: I have added a university study link that is relevant to this topic. Check it out if you would like!! http://www.uoregon.edu/~icds/Evolution_FG_files/McKenna_Cosleeping_1.pdf